One of my longtime weblog clients is the manager/CEO of a city. He recently received his annual performance review, which included a 360-degree feedback component — comments from his council, his department heads, and miscellaneous city staff.
He generously agreed to share these comments with me, since many of them referenced his blog. I’ve excerpted those comments with his permission, including them here so that other leaders considering blogging can see what an impact it can make. I’ve removed refernces to his name and the city and capitalized the references to blogging:
- [His] attitude towards open communication is wonderful. Examples include his interest in BLOGGING, willingness to take time to attend city events and have interview/meeting time with different groups.
- [He] continues to use his BLOG to inform both the Citizens of [city deleted] and employees
- His BLOG is phenomenal. He uses it as another means to communicate at all levels. It is both interesting and informative to residents of the city, to city staff and business people in the city. Apparently it has become somewhat of a model nationally, and even internationally, for government communication to its citizens.
- I am impressed by his approachability and also by the concise, intelligent way he communicates with people, both verbally and in writing. I always look forward to reading his BLOGS and I am proud to have him represent [city deleted], as I feel his intelligence, integrity and concern and affection for the city and its residents is evident to all.
- I think he interacts great with all people. I see him a lot more at our end of the building which I think is good. He is very approachable. I also think he has done a good job with his BLOG. I try to read it as one way of seeing what is going on.
- He updates his BLOG frequently so people can see what is happening in [city deleted]
- He is diplomatic. Sometimes too quiet — though I think he uses that to his advantage. Also, he BLOGS well.
- He has a great way of communicating information with employees and really the community through his BLOG. He is honest and talks candidly about issues that come up. He is very cordial and approachable
- I wish that I could be more detailed in my responses, but unfortunately my department manager does not pass on information that he gets from the city manager’s meetings at all. Anything I hear about I get from the Friday reports, [his] BLOG and the local paper. So I do appreciate that [he] puts those out there for all to read.
